Friday, December 5, 2014

Vaya Con Dios - Thank You All! (Live)

Size: 163,8 MB
Time: 70:40
File: MP3 @ 320K/s
Released: 2014
Styles: Pop Rock, Chanson, Blues, Soul
Art: Front

01. One Silver Dollar (3:03)
02. Time Flies (3:51)
03. Johnny (3:41)
04. Quand Elle Rit Aux Eclats (5:36)
05. Heading For A Fall (3:30)
06. Comme On Est Venu.. (4:14)
07. What's A Woman (4:34)
08. Don't Cry For Louie (3:06)
09. Just A Friend Of Mine (3:26)
10. Puerto Rico (4:31)
11. Les Voiliers Sauvages De Nos Vies (3:48)
12. Night Owls (4:38)
13. Don't Break My Heart (4:08)
14. I Don't Wanna Know (4:33)
15. Pauvre Diable (5:07)
16. Look At Us Now (3:54)
17. Nah Neh Nah (4:51)

Personnel:
Dani Klein: vocals
Dirk Schoufs: (acoustic) bass
Willy Willy: guitar
Jean-Michel Gielen: guitar
Philippe Allaert: drums

The story of Vaya Con Dios (a Spanish phrase which means "go with god") started in 1986. The group was formed by Dani Klein, Dirk Schoufs (bass from the rockabilly group The Wild Ones) and Willy Lambregt (guitar player for the Scabs). Their first release, the single "Just a friend of mine" characterizes the group with its love for Spanish-influenced music and acoustic instruments. It becomes an overnight hit (300.000 sold copies in France) and their career is on the way.
Willy Willy decides to spend all his time with the Scabs (Vaya Con Dios wasn't "rock'n'roll" enough) and the first full album is recorded with session musicians. The singles "Puerto Rico" and "Don't cry for Louie" open even more doors for the group
The second album continues the success story (with hits like the melancholic "What's a woman" and the joyous European hit "Nah neh nah"). The influence of Spanish flamenco shifts to "old American jukebox hits although with unmistakable influences from gypsy music and French chanson" (Oor).
In 1991 the pair of Dirk Schoufs and Dani Klein lose interest in each other and Dirk leaves the band. Soon afterwards he dies of a drugs-related infection disease. The Album "Time Flies" which is released a year after, is the saddest thus far, with a lot of soul influences but also trips across the border to music of Latin-America. The album is entirely a Dani Klein product, which makes it clear that the group is in fact a singer, a "femme fatale".
According to the record company, this was also the album which had to lift them to the status of superstar, but that wasn't to be. The black but mediocre single "Heading for a fall" got very heavy "rotation" on MTV but didn't produce a lot of excitement.
The group has built a very considerable following all over the world (but especially in Germany, France and Scandinavia) and the band makes a very successful tour around the world in 1993.
The 1995 album "Roots and Wings" doesn't change the musical direction of the group drastically (mainly r&b, but this time also with some musical accents from India and Arabian music). It is recorded in the Muscle Shoals Studios in Alabama (the legendary studio for artists like Etta James and Aretha Franklin). The horn section from Muscle Shoals accompanies Dani on her European tour in 1996. Her son (19-year old Simon Schoovaerts) plays the keyboards on stage.
After 7,000,000 copies of albums sold, Dani Klein felt trapped by the success, however. In 1996 she had become fed up with the circus the group had become, and retired from showbizz to travel and "live her life". She explained the process a few years later : "In the latest phase it was no pleasure anymore. Vaya con Dios felt like a machine that had to be kept turning. I had to cancel the last concerts because I fell ill, the stress was terrible. I didn't have a bond with the musicians anymore, they just came to do their job for two months. I didn't even know if they even liked the music. We didn't talk about such things. No, that was not my cup of tea anymore. But I guess that is how it goes : you start small and then the thing starts getting bigger and bigger." She explained in an interview with Peter Van Dyck in Weekend-Knack "The pressure had become to high, the expectations for each new album had grown too much."
It wasn't until four years later that Dani Klein emerged on the music scene again, with a new band called Purple Prose.

Thank You All!

Buddy Defranco & Martin Taylor - Buddy Defranco Meets Martin Taylor

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 46:36
Size: 106.7 MB
Styles: Straight ahead jazz
Year: 1984/2009
Art: Front

[4:42] 1. Whispering Groovin' High
[6:32] 2. I Got A Right To Sing The Blues
[6:54] 3. Manhattan Tea Party
[6:40] 4. Goodbye
[4:40] 5. Just Friends
[6:52] 6. Angels Camp
[3:10] 7. Dark Island
[3:03] 8. Prelude To A Kiss
[3:59] 9. I Got Rhythm

Hep reissues their killer 1984 session with clarinetist Buddy DeFranco meeting up with jazz guitar virtuoso Martin Taylor that also includes Alex Sharp playing piano, Ronnie Bae on bass, and Clark Tracey in the drummer’s chair. DeFranco who was 60 at the time and is in killer form on this set of jazz standards that include “Groovin’ High,” “Prelude to a Kiss,” “I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues,” and others. Taylor is a perfect foil for the gorgeously round and warm tone of DeFranco with his contrapuntal gypsy jazz licks and rhythms. This set was reissued on CD in 2009. ~Thom Jurek

Buddy Defranco Meets Martin Taylor

Gal Costa - Live At The Blue Note

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 61:08
Size: 140.0 MB
Styles: Bossa Nova, Brazilian jazz
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[4:47] 1. Fotografia
[4:58] 2. Desafinado
[4:45] 3. Chega De Saudade
[2:53] 4. Camisa Amarela
[3:45] 5. Pra Manchucar Meu Caracao
[3:45] 6. Ave Maria No Moro
[3:04] 7. Nada Alem
[3:28] 8. I Fall In Love Too Easily
[4:11] 9. Corcovado
[2:14] 10. Triste
[3:51] 11. Wave
[4:33] 12. Coisa Mais Linda As Time Goes By
[2:03] 13. Samba Do Aviao
[4:13] 14. A Felicidade
[3:26] 15. Aquarela Do Brasil
[4:24] 16. Sabado Em Copacabana Copacabana Riberio
[0:40] 17. Garota De Ipanema

Brazilian music legend and superstar (the Brazilians never, ever forget their heroes, they keep buying their records and attending their concerts until they drop) Gal Costa played to a very small jazz club crowd at the Blue Note in New York City in May of 2006. This recording on the DRG label is the complete recording of that performance. Costa was accompanied by a jazz quartet that included bass, drums, guitar, and reed and woodwind instruments. She performed a complete bossa nova repertoire, whose roots and popularity were a full musical generation before her own coming of age during the tumultuous and wildly creative tropicalia movement of the late 1960s and early '70s that threatened the nation's government.

Most of what's here are the classics, written by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes, Dorival Caymmi, Ary Barroso, and Herivelto Martins: "Corcovado," "Desafinado," "Garota de Ipanema," "Triste," "Wave," and more. And are they ever elegant. The band's playing is slippery and fluid behind her, weaving hypnotically, imparting rhythms and textures through the middle of that glorious voice, a shade lower than it used to be but with all that breezy elegance. There are a couple of surprises, however; Costa's readings of the standards "I Fall in Love Too Easily," and a beautiful medley of "Coisa Mais Linda E" and "As Time Goes By" are a bit inconsistent, but the only real problem with this set is that it seems to flit by in an instant, though its 17 cuts add up to over an hour. This is an utterly enchanting and beautiful recording. All bossa fans should have it. ~Thom Jurek

Live At The Blue Note

The Clare Fischer Voices - ...And Sometimes Instruments

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 70:57
Size: 162.4 MB
Styles: Vocal harmonies
Year: 2011
Art: Front

[3:48] 1. Tom Cat
[4:16] 2. Mood Indigo
[2:56] 3. America The Beautiful
[3:09] 4. Una Mañana
[1:55] 5. I Should Care
[3:36] 6. Chopin Etude Opus 10, Number 6
[6:07] 7. Bachi
[4:13] 8. If
[3:27] 9. You're My Thrill (Feat. Don Shelton)
[4:28] 10. Last Night When We Were Young
[3:57] 11. Waiting For Jack's Plane
[2:43] 12. The Boy Next Door
[4:23] 13. Happy Time
[2:38] 14. When Your Lover Has Gone
[2:19] 15. I'm Fine (Feat. Gary Foster)
[2:28] 16. So What Do I Care
[2:25] 17. Memories Of Gold
[2:47] 18. Manhã
[5:02] 19. Love At Home
[4:10] 20. Pan Pipe Dance

Pianist, arranger and composer Clare Fischer, who died at age 83 this past January, often described himself as the best-kept secret in jazz. In a career spanning six decades, he worked with myriad masters, among them Bud Shank, Joe Pass, Cal Tjader, Prince, Michael Jackson, Branford Marsalis and João Gilberto. He arranged for the Hi-Lo’s, the Singers Unlimited and Sergio Mendes and recorded 51 albums as a solo performer and bandleader.

...And Sometimes Instruments is a rather unusual olio, lovingly pasted together by Fischer’s son Brent, who also plays electric bass, vibes, marimba, shakers and rainstick. (Overachievement obviously didn’t skip a generation.) All 20 tracks are built around vocal arrangements, with four principal voices soprano Mary Hylan, alto Angie Jaree and tenors Gary Jones and David Joyce plus baritone/bass Bob Joyce on 17 tracks and several more scattered throughout.

Some of the arrangements date back decades; a couple tracks were lifted from tapes recorded in the ’90s; and the rest of the material existed in various stages of development. There are half a dozen standards, all strongly reminiscent of the Hi-Lo’s/Singers Unlimited, several Fischer compositions (including his dazzling “Morning,” presented in both Spanish and Portuguese), a bit of Chopin, some musical tomfoolery (one track, complete with meow choruses, pays tribute to a housecat), and even an august “America the Beautiful.” It’s a lot to take in, rather like an overly bountiful smorgasbord, but it serves as golden testament to the breadth of Fischer’s artistry. ~Christopher Loudon

...And Sometimes Instruments 

The Clayton Brothers - Back In The Swing Of Things

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 60:24
Size: 138.3 MB
Styles: Bop
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[4:51] 1. Gina's Groove
[5:18] 2. Blow Your Horn
[0:36] 3. One Five Ten
[6:16] 4. Firestorm
[5:58] 5. Ultra Sensitive
[7:06] 6. Professor T
[1:18] 7. Bass Statement #1
[5:18] 8. Back In The Swing Of Things
[3:18] 9. Round Midnight
[7:18] 10. Next Time
[1:00] 11. I Don't Need No Band
[6:13] 12. Critical Mass
[0:29] 13. Bass Statement #2
[5:18] 14. Quick Delivery

Beginning with the irresistible, headlong groove of the first track, Back in the Swing of Things is yet another jubliant, world-class outing from the Clayton Brothers Quintet. The joyride begins with the irresistible groove of the first track and takes the listener through a bright landscape of originals, including two short, witty solo comments by each brother and one intriguing composition by John's son Gerald, whose own star has been rising rapidly. Whatever the tempo or mood, with this consummate collection of musicians, each track gleams and sparkles; you know that Bill Cunliffe and Jeff Hamilton will deliver precisely the right colors to pique the imagination and keep the pulse racing.

It's always difficult to pick favorites out of a Clayton Brothers bouquet, given their well-deserved reputation for consistent excellence, but especially vaulting moments include the languid beauty of "Ultra Sensitive" and "Next Time"; the bounce of the title track, with its delicious interlude of sax and trumpet hide-and-seek; the incredibly soulful, crystalline playing of Terell Stafford; and John's deep and velvety solo version of "Round Midnight."

It's easy to enjoy this open-hearted musical celebration; what's difficult is understanding the title—"Back in the Swing of Things"—since the Clayton Brothers have never stopped swinging. And long may they wave! ~Judy Schlesinger

John Clayton: bass; Jeff Clayton: alto saxophone, flute; Terell Stafford: trumpet; Bill Cunliffe: piano; Gerald Clayton: piano (1,14); Anthony Wilson: guitar (5); Jeff Hamilton: drums.

Back In The Swing Of Things

Dave Pell Octet - Shuffle Off To Buffalo

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 37:03
Size: 85,6 MB
Art:

(2:42)  1. How Are Things In Glocca Morra
(2:40)  2. Shuffle Off To Buffalo
(4:04)  3. New Orleans
(2:23)  4. Flying Down To Rio
(3:06)  5. On A Slow Boat To China
(3:47)  6. Memphis In June
(3:20)  7. Paris In The Spring
(3:12)  8. London In July
(2:41)  9. Isle Of Capri
(2:44) 10. The White Cliffs Of Dover
(3:36) 11. Sunday In Savannah
(2:42) 12. Deep In The Heart Of Texas

Dave Pell started out touring with the Tony Pastor, Bob Astor, and Bobby Sherwood bands as a teenager, before moving to California in the mid-'40s. He found work with Bob Crosby on the latter's Ford radio show in 1946, then played with the Les Brown band from 1947 to 1955. Drawing from the ranks of the Brown band, he began leading his own groups in 1953, usually in an octet format, augmented by guests like Pepper Adams, Benny Carter, Mel Lewis, Red Mitchell, Marty Paich, and Art Pepper. He also played as a sideman on records by Shorty Rogers, Pete Rugolo, Benny Goodman, and Gene Krupa in the 1950s, while recording under his own name for Atlantic, Kapp, Coral, Capitol, and RCA Victor. His primary focus of activity in the 1950s and '60s was in the record business, working as a producer for the budget Tops label in the '50s, and Liberty (where he supervised a few hit pop/rock records for Gary Lewis & the Playboys) and briefly Uni in the '60s. He formed a group in the late '70s called Prez Conference, a variation on the theme of Supersax, as a tribute to Lester Young, recording two albums for GNP/Crescendo. In the '80s and '90s, Pell revived his octet for recordings on the Fresh Sound (1984) and Headfirst (1988) labels, and sporadic live dates in the Los Angeles area, including an appearance at the Jazz West Coast festival in 1994.  ~ Richard S. Ginell  http://www.allmusic.com/artist/dave-pell-mn0000690700/biography

Billy Taylor Trio - Introduces Ira Sullivan

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 42:42
Size: 97,8 MB
Art: Front

(3:39)  1. So In Love
(4:17)  2. Imagination
(9:00)  3. Strolling
(5:42)  4. They Can't Take That Away From Me
(7:52)  5. Leslie's Gauge
(6:21)  6. In A Mellow Tone
(5:48)  7. You Don't Know What Love Is

A great early session from Chicago trumpeter Ira Sullivan – a very strong player who came out strongly in the late 50s as one of the big jazz hopefuls from the Windy City. This set has Ira backed by the Billy Taylor Trio – presented by Billy on ABC, where the Taylor trio was recording at the time. Tracks have a nice open-ended feel, and a lot more drive than Billy's own work at the time, and the best numbers feel like they were recorded for a Prestige blowing session. Titles include "Strolling", "Leslie's Gauge", "You Don't Know What Love Is", and "So In Love".  http://www.dustygroove.com/item/49156

Introduces Ira Sullivan

Marina Xavier - I Thought About You

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:34
Size: 114,0 MB
Art: Front

(3:31)  1. Te Extrano
(4:27)  2. You Make Me Feel So Young
(2:47)  3. All Too Soon
(4:25)  4. You Turn the Tables On Me
(3:36)  5. I Fall in Love Too Easily
(3:37)  6. Small Talk
(3:09)  7. La javanaise
(4:04)  8. Sweetness
(3:03)  9. Just in Time
(3:37) 10. I Thought About You
(3:31) 11. You've Changed
(5:50) 12. My Ship
(3:50) 13. They Can't Take That Away from Me

This time collaborating with Olivier Hutman Marina delivers the tunes taking you on a voyage from the Armando Manzanero's haunting Mexican bolero 'Te Extrano' to Sierge Gainsbourg's La Javanaise. Marina penned Small Talk influenced by Yma Sumac. The swinging tunes performed with a glittering line up of musicians will place this album in the exciting league of International Jazz.  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/mxavier2

Eiji Taniguchi - Moonlight Becomes You

Styles:  Jazz
Year: 2012
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:40
Size: 146,1 MB
Art: Front

(4:40)  1. Moonlight Becomes You
(5:58)  2. Nancy
(4:54)  3. It's All Right With Me
(4:18)  4. Too Close for Comfort
(4:36)  5. I Couldn't Sleep a Wink Last Night
(7:19)  6. Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams
(2:43)  7. The Things We Did Last Summer
(5:52)  8. Deep Night
(3:40)  9. These Foolish Things
(4:25) 10. I've Got the World on a String
(6:16) 11. It's a Blue World
(7:48) 12. Once I Loved
(1:06) 13. Moonlight Becomes You (reprise)

Moonlight Becomes You

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Pat LaBarbera - Deep In A Dream

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 70:46
Size: 162.0 MB
Styles: Saxophone jazz
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[6:33] 1. Deep In A Dream
[3:52] 2. Something To Live For
[6:49] 3. There's A Lull In My Life
[5:38] 4. It Shouldn't Happen To A Dream
[4:54] 5. Maybe You'll Be There
[4:12] 6. Here's To My Lady
[9:11] 7. Moon And Sand
[5:57] 8. What Good Would The Moon Be
[5:36] 9. Why Try To Change Me Now
[5:38] 10. Some Other Spring
[7:19] 11. I Heard You Cried Last Night
[5:01] 12. As Long As I Am Dreaming

Last September tenor/soprano saxophonist Pat LaBarbera appeared at the Forest City Jazz Festival with the same rhythm section featured on this CD. At the time, he alluded to the fact that he had always wanted to record an all-ballads album. Thanks to Bill King and Greg Sutherland of RadioLand Jazz, Pat's dream has become a reality. Deep In A Dream is a 12-track collection of lovely, slow burners that is perfect for late-night listening. While some of the tunes are well-known standards (Something To Live For and There's A Lull In My Life), a number of Pat's hand-picked favourites are more obscure. Indeed, Pat states in the liner notes that master balladeer Frank Sinatra's early recordings, Maybe You'll Be There, Why Try To Change Me Now and Deep In A Dream, were the source for these song choices.

Although Pat has always been known for his up-tempo, Coltrane-influenced screamers, Deep In A Dream shows that Stan Getz and Lester Young have also inspired him. Brother Joe LaBarbera's brush work is light and feathery, Neil Swainson pulls deep, rich tones from his bass and pianist Don Thompson's occasional solo spots are suitably restrained. Break out the candles and wine and enjoy! ~John Sharpe

Deep In A Dream

Kenny Dorham Quartet - Two Horns, Two Rhythms

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 42:20
Size: 96.9 MB
Styles: Hard bop, Trumpet jazz
Year: 1993/2008
Art: Front

[5:20] 1. Lotus Blossom
[6:10] 2. 'sposin'
[2:54] 3. Soon
[4:38] 4. Is It True What They Say About Dixie
[4:23] 5. The End Of A Love Affair
[4:19] 6. I'll Be Seeing You
[6:33] 7. Noosebloos
[3:10] 8. Jazz-Classic
[4:49] 9. 'Sposin' (Alternate Take)

Trumpeter Kenny Dorham was one of the most underrated talents of the bop and hard bop eras. Although he did not hit high note or influence a lot of players, Dorham's appealing sound and consistently creative ideas should have made him a star in the jazz world instead of just a journeyman. On this CD reissue (which adds an alternate take of "'Sposin'" to the original eight-song LP program), Dorham and altoist Ernie Henry (on his final session) are heard in a pianoless quartet (with either Eddie Mathias or Wilbur Ware on bass and drummer G.T. Hogan) playing three of the trumpeter's originals (including "Lotus Blossom") and four standards. Highlights include "I'll Be Seeing You" and a rare revival of "Is It True What They Say About Dixie?" The sparse setting (unusual for a Dorham session) works quite well. ~Scott Yanow

Two Horns, Two Rhythms

Felicia Sanders - That Certain Feeling

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 2010
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 31:27
Size: 72,4 MB
Art: Front

(2:08)  1. Dancing In The Dark
(2:33)  2. Summertime
(1:35)  3. Nobody Else But Me
(3:28)  4. Music, Maestro, Please
(3:31)  5. A Woman's Love Is Never Done
(1:44)  6. La Bonne Cuisine - Rabbit At Top Speed
(1:47)  7. I Happen To Like New York
(3:40)  8. Summer Love
(3:21)  9. That Certain Feeling
(4:26) 10. I Had Myself A True Love
(3:08) 11. What Have You Done All Day

Felicia Sanders (c. 1922 – February 7, 1975) was a singer of traditional pop music. Born Felice Schwartz in Mount Vernon, New York, she sang in the 1940s, with big bands and on the radio, based in Los Angeles, California. She stopped singing professionally to get married to Michael Snider (who was in the army), and had a son, Jefferson with him. They eventually got divorced both having part-time custody of their child. In 1950 she returned to singing in a nightclub in Hollywood, Café Gala. She was heard there by Benny Carter, who thought enough of her talent to recommend her to Mitch Miller, Columbia Records' artist and repertory director. She was picked, in 1953, by Columbia's biggest orchestra leader, Percy Faith, to sing vocal on a song he was recording, taken from the film Moulin Rouge a biographical film about Toulouse-Lautrec.

The song, known as "The Song from Moulin Rouge" was recorded on January 22, 1953 and released by Columbia with the credits shown as "Percy Faith and his Orchestra featuring Felicia Sanders." She had been paid only union scale and her name appeared below Faith's in small letters, but she had a success. The song scored #1 on all the record charts and was to be her greatest success.

Just before the record was released she was hired by New York's famous Blue Angel nightclub, and she played there for a long time, being the first singer to do the song "In Other Words (Fly Me to the Moon)" although she did not record it until several other singers had done so. When she recorded "In Other Words" at Decca Recording studio, it was backed with "Summer Love" (composed by Victor Young) in1959.

Miller kept finding other songs to have her sing, but only one other scored among the Top 30: "Blue Star", based on the theme from a well-known television series, Medic. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felicia_Sanders

Eric Alexander - Two Of A Kind

Styles: Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1997
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:58
Size: 128,3 MB
Art: Front

(8:25)  1. Happy Song
(7:56)  2. Pentimento
(7:14)  3. Mr. Harris
(6:12)  4. I Can't Get Started
(8:26)  5. Cecil's Slide
(6:08)  6. Angel Eyes
(5:16)  7. Beautiful Things
(6:18)  8. Kick-A-Poo

Eric Alexander is a high-powered tenor saxophonist whose style falls between hard bop and post-bop. On this set he splits his time between quartet numbers with pianist David Hazeltine, bassist John Webber, and drummer Joe Farnsworth and quintet pieces that co-star baritonist Cecil Payne. Unfortunately, Payne (74 at the time) sounds past his prime, displaying a weaker tone than he had previously although he tries his best during his three appearances (two Payne originals plus "I Can't Get Started"). Alexander (who brought in three originals of his own) sounds fine throughout and he helps to revitalize the straight-ahead tradition with his passionate playing. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/release/two-of-a-kind-mr0000763180

Personnel: Eric Alexander (tenor saxophone); Cecil Payne (baritone saxophone); David Hazeltine (piano); John Webber (bass); Joe Farnsworth (drums).

David Liebman - Lieb Plays Wilder

Styles: Flute And Saxophone Jazz
Year: 2007
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:07
Size: 142,7 MB
Art: Front

(7:53)  1. Where Is The One?
(6:26)  2. A Long Night
(6:32)  3. Winter Of My Discontent
(4:48)  4. Trouble Is A Man
(6:06)  5. If Love´s Like A Lark
(4:04)  6. The Wrong Blues
(5:32)  7. The Lady Sings The Blues
(5:44)  8. Moon And Sand
(8:13)  9. Just As Though You Were Here
(6:45) 10. While We're Young

Saxophonist Dave Liebman has covered a lot of territory in a career now well into its fourth decade, but his approach has never resembled anything conventional. Much has been written about Liebman mining territory first explored by Coltrane; and in his expressionist approach that is nevertheless capable of rich subtlety, the lineage is clear. Towards the untimely end to his life, Coltrane travelled inexorably away from structure into extended improvisations that had little in the way of conventional foundation, but Liebman has continued to explore improvisational possibilities within more defined frameworks. Sometimes those frameworks can be quite complex, as on recent recordings involving his quartet featuring guitarist Vic Juris; but they can also be looser, as on his duet recording with pianist Marc Copland, Bookends. While Liebman has a stellar reputation, he curiously remains less of a household name than contemporaries like Michael Brecker and Joe Lovano with whom he teamed for last year's excellent Saxophone Summit. His general avoidance of major labels has actually been liberating as with Copland allowing him to release far more recordings as a leader than such contracts would permit.  

And without the interference of a label looking for an easy route to mass appeal, Liebman has been able to make recordings like Lieb Plays Wilder. It's clearly accessible, mining material that feels like standards, but it's more off the beaten path. Alec Wilder, in fact, wrote one of the definitive books on other composers more typically associated with the Great American Songbook, The American Popular Song, but based on the compositions here, he was at least some of the time working similar territory himself. On this largely trio recording with bassist Marius Beets and Eric Ineke who he rightfully says "is one of the most swinging drummers I know" Liebman alternates between tenor and soprano saxophones, bringing out a wooden flute for the intro to the darkly balladic "Trouble is a Man." Liebman has spent many years focusing on the soprano, only recently bringing out the tenor more regularly, but that's a good thing, because his musical personality is equally distinctive on the bigger horn. 

The material ranges from the bright "Where is the One" and the up-tempo swing of "A Long Night" one of two tracks featuring guest pianist Marc Van Roon to the bossa feel of "Winter of My Discontent" and the bluesy jazz waltz "If Love's Like a Lark." Throughout, Liebman honours the intent of the compositions, but he's liberal enough to demonstrate their myriad possibilities by extending into passages where textural flurries replace simpler lyric concerns. Recording standards is nothing new to Liebman, but with Lieb Plays Wilder he introduces his audience to material that, by all rights, should have been considered part of the Great American Songbook. ~ John Kelman  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/lieb-plays-wilder-dave-liebman-challenge-records-review-by-john-kelman.php#.VHzQ_8mHmtg
 
Personnel: Dave Liebman: tenor and soprano saxophones, flute; Marius Beets: bass; Eric Ineke: drums; Marc Van Roon: piano (4, 10).

Eric Johnson & Mike Stern - Eclectic

Styles: Guitar, Jazz, Rock
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 72:02
Size: 167,4 MB
Art: Front

(5:23)  1. Roll With It
(3:08)  2. Hullabaloo
(6:06)  3. Wherever You Go - With Intro
(4:50)  4. Red House
(6:24)  5. Remember
(4:27)  6. Benny Man’s Blues
(7:34)  7. Wishing Well
(7:06)  8. Big Foot - With Intro
(5:26)  9. Tidal
(6:38) 10. You Never Know
(6:48) 11. Dry Ice
(8:05) 12. Sometimes

Two bona fide guitar heroes in their respective fields; Eric Johnson in the rock realm and Mike Stern in the jazz world join forces to produce the explosive Eclectic, a scintillating musical showcase that brings together their disparate influences in one potent package. Fans of both artists and guitar aficionados will want to hear this unique collaboration. Backed by Anton Fig (James Brown, Miles Davis, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder) on drums and Chris Maresh on bass the group impresses throughout the albums 12 tracks with writing contributions from both guitarists and even a cover of Jimi Hendrix Red House where Mike makes his vocal debut trading lines with Eric on this event record.  ~ Editorial Reviews  http://www.amazon.com/Eclectic-Eric-Johnson/dp/B00MKKZVXO

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

David Ostwald's Gully Low Jazz Band - Blues In Our Heart

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 60:58
Size: 139.6 MB
Styles: Mainstream jazz
Year: 2007
Art: Front

[3:18] 1. Jubilee Stomp
[3:43] 2. When Day Is Done
[3:32] 3. Don't Forget To Mess Around
[6:25] 4. Lover Come Back To Me
[4:48] 5. Thou Swell
[4:48] 6. Someday Sweetheart
[3:49] 7. Panama
[4:18] 8. 'tain't So, Honey 'tain't So
[6:08] 9. Blues In My Heart
[3:07] 10. New Orleans Stomp
[3:36] 11. Changes
[3:34] 12. Who's It
[5:07] 13. Home
[4:35] 14. Diga Diga Doo

Tuba, Banjo, and a 2/4 Beat. I have been listening to a lot of Nagel-Heyer releases lately and I have been trying to identify the things that make "traditional" jazz traditional. Certainly the presence of the Tuba and Banjo (or guitar as a percussive, rhythmic instrument with harmonic capabilities) are two big clues. Tuba player David Ostwald and the ubiquitous Howard Alden cover these instruments on this and many N-H releases. The majority of the music is played with a 2/4 time rather than the more familiar 4/4 Swing and beyond feel. These factors seem to be what contribute most to the "Traditional" sound. The Gully Low Jazz Band sells itself as a band a variety of jazz styles, but to my ears they play them all in a vintage manner. That is okay with me. Listening to Blues in Our Heart immediately makes me think of Don Byron's Bug Music and any number of Wynton Marsalis releases. My estimation is the Gully Low Jazz Band plays a more authentic brand of traditional jazz than Mr. Marsalis (as much as I admire his music) ever should. The music on this disc (and all other N-H I have heard) sounds genuine and sincere, not overly reverent or worshipful. The sure novelty of the Gully Low Jazz Band is that it only has one constant, the presence of David Ostwald. When Ostwald is asked to record, he assembles his band then under the Gully Low name. Pretty cool. Being associated with N-H helps as their stables are stocked with players totally empathetic with Ostwald and his traditional temperament. For this particular disc, he has assembled Marsalis alums Wycliffe Gordon and Herlin Riley, former Concord stablemates Howard Alden and Ken Peplowski, and fellow N-H cronies Mark Shane and Randy Sandke. This group executes as it appears— too good to be true but it is true.

Miniduos. This disc is replete with vintage performance, but what is most fun is many of these pieces have duo breaks with the Howard Alden's guitar/banjo and another instrument. Alden joins Randy Sandke in a trumpet/banjo lovefest on the opening "Jubilee Stomp". Alden converses with Ken Peplowski on "Panama" and "Changes" and takes the helm alone on "When Day is Done". This arrangement technique adds a tautness and excitement to these time worn classics that makes them new and exciting. Outside of the playing of the aforementioned, Mark Shane shines on piano, always being in the right place at the right time in both solos and comps.

If you, the curious listener/reader, likes the old-timey, traditional sound of Bug Music or Wynton Marsalis trying to be Joe "King" Oliver, this disc (and many other Nagel-Heyers) is for you. If you don't like this music, learn to. It is the musical Old Testament of Jazz. ~Michael Bailey

David Ostwald: Tuba; Randy Sandke: Trumpet; Wycliffe Gordon: Trombone, Vocals; Ken Peplowski: Clarinet, Alto Saxophone; Mark Shane: Piano; Howard Alden: Banjo, Guitar; Herlin Riley: Drums.

Blues In Our Heart

Mose Allison - Local Color

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 35:58
Size: 82.4 MB
Styles: Hard bop, Piano jazz, Vocal jazz
Year: 1957/2006
Art: Front

[2:59] 1. Carnival
[3:20] 2. Parchman Farm
[3:42] 3. Crepuscular Air
[4:07] 4. Mojo Woman
[3:26] 5. Town
[3:14] 6. Trouble In Mind
[3:34] 7. Lost Mind
[5:37] 8. I'll Never Be Free
[3:15] 9. Don't Ever Say Goodbye
[2:40] 10. Ain't You A Mess

This CD reissue brings back Mose Allison's second of six Prestige recordings. Allison performs eight instrumentals in a trio with bassist Addison Farmer and drummer Nick Stabulas, displaying his unusual mixture of country blues and bebop and even taking an effective trumpet solo on "Trouble In Mind." However it is his vocals on "Lost Mind" and particularly the classic "Parchman Farm" that are most memorable. ~Scott Yanow

Local Color

Annie Lennox - Nostalgia

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 39:14
Size: 89.8 MB
Styles: R&B, Standards
Year: 2014
Art: Front

[2:42] 1. Memphis In June
[1:11] 2. Georgia On My Mind
[3:29] 3. I Put A Spell On You
[5:08] 4. Summertime
[2:57] 5. I Cover The Waterfront
[3:40] 6. Strange Fruit
[2:59] 7. God Bless The Child
[3:19] 8. You Belong To Me
[2:50] 9. September In The Rain
[2:53] 10. I Can Dream, Can’t I
[2:29] 11. The Nearness Of You
[5:31] 12. Mood Indigo

Annie Lennox's ongoing evolution from New Wave ruler into U.K. queen of blue-eyed soul isn't exactly surprising – her magnificent voice has always had an R&B foundation, on display in this orchestral set of jazz and blues standards. "Summertime," "Strange Fruit" and "God Bless the Child" show reverence and impeccable technique yet not quite enough signature to transcend mere impressiveness. Standouts: the Andrews Sisters' "I Can Dream, Can't I?" playfully set to a cha-cha groove, and Ellington's "Mood Indigo," with barrel-house brass and raw, if measured, blues hollers. "C'mon, play that thing!" Lennox goads a horn player. One might say the same to her. ~Will Hermes

Nostalgia

Freddie Hubbard - Open Sesame

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 53:06
Size: 121.6 MB
Styles: Hard bop, Trumpet jazz
Year: 1960/2002
Art: Front

[7:07] 1. Open Sesame
[6:23] 2. But Beautiful
[6:25] 3. Gypsy Blue
[5:32] 4. All Or Nothing At All
[5:59] 5. One Mint Julep
[6:51] 6. Hub's Nub
[7:13] 7. Open Sesame (Alternate Take)
[7:32] 8. Gypsy Blue (Alternate Take)

Freddie Hubbard's first recording as a leader, Open Sesame features the 22-year-old trumpeter in a quintet with tenor saxophonist Tina Brooks, the up-and-coming pianist McCoy Tyner, bassist Sam Jones and drummer Clifford Jarvis. This set shows that even at this early stage, Hubbard had the potential to be one of the greats. On the ballad "But Beautiful" he shows maturity; other highlights include "Open Sesame," a driving "All or Nothing at All" and "One Mint Julep." It's an impressive start to what would be a very interesting career. ~Scott Yanow

Open Sesame

Beryl Davis - I'll Be Seeing You

Styles: Vocal Jazz
Year: 1995
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 47:06
Size: 109,4 MB
Art: Front

(4:22)  1. The Nearness of You
(2:33)  2. Where or When
(3:15)  3. Old Cape Cod
(3:34)  4. I Can't Get Started
(3:21)  5. Star Eyes
(2:32)  6. A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
(2:32)  7. I'll Be Seeing You
(3:18)  8. I Remember You
(2:13)  9. The Very Thought of You
(4:12) 10. They Can't Take That Away from Me
(2:20) 11. As Time Goes By
(2:11) 12. Dream a Little Dream of Me
(2:26) 13. Cabaret
(5:46) 14. Chaplin Walked Here
(2:26) 15. You Made Me Love You

Big-band singer Beryl Davis was born in England; the daughter of bandleader Harry Davis, she spent her formative years on tour with her father's orchestra, eventually becoming the act's featured vocalist. Subsequently touring Europe with Stéphane Grappelli, George Shearing, and Ted Heath, in 1944 Davis was recruited to join Glenn Miller's Army Air Force Orchestra, and after Miller's death also performed for the troops with Johnny Desmond and the Crew Chiefs. Spotted by Bob Hope, she made her Hollywood debut on his show, next spending a year singing alongside Frank Sinatra on Your Hit Parade; tenures with Benny Goodman, Vaughn Monroe, and David Rose followed, and in 1954 Davis joined with Jane Russell, Rhonda Fleming, and Connie Haines to form a popular gospel quartet that scored a series of hits, including "Do Lord." She continued carrying the big-band torch in the decades to follow, performing with Mel Tormé, the Gene Krupa Orchestra, and the Kay Kyser Band in addition to touring in A Salute to Glenn Miller. Davis died in October of 2011 of complications from Alzheimer's disease. She was 87. 
Bio ~ https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/beryl-davis/id310982#fullText